Small town, small-minded people, small expectations, and big A-holes.Lilith Deville is the new enigma at Lakeside Preparatory Academy, a prestigious high school by a river and not a lake, which makes sense, not. Already she hates it despite its beautiful landscape.Between riding her dirt bike through the sacred lands of the natives, plotting against those she meets, and holding greasy truckers at … truckers at gunpoint, Lilith makes no time for love or friendship. Forever the walking mystery (read misery) of her new home and school.
That is until Nokosi Locklear catches her eye with his arrogance and a hard, toned body that she’s certain she doesn’t want to climb.
Shoved up against a locker by him in her first week, she sets him in her wicked sights.
Life is only fun when you have somebody else’s pain to focus on. So long as you stay detached. Something Lilith will find is impossible to do when it comes to Nokosi. A guy with looks but no charm. Strength but no power. Love but no morals.
With a serial killer roaming the country taking victims one by one, a past in Nokosi’s eyes that he tries to hide, and a mother that would rather work than keep her daughters happy, Lilith finds plenty of time to spare and plenty of things to keep herself occupied.
Note: This is your only trigger warning. Read at your own risk.
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Wow just wow. This book sure has left me speechless. This story seems your usually enemies to lovers story, but it is so different of what I was expecting.
I really enjoyed the love triangle between the characters. How Lilith wants to be so strong and independent doesn’t want to like Nok but somehow he worms his way into her broken heart. I love how some damaged characters can find love within all the dark and evil in their world. This book is dark but not to dark, it does have a lot of twist and turns it has mystery, suspense and some hot chemistry between these characters. I loved how the book hooks you in and you can’t stop reading wanting to find out if your theories are right, this is not your typical love story but it is a must read. And the ending is so unexpected. This is one of my top 10 books of 2019 maybe even of all time 5 star review.
If you are looking for something unlike anything you’ve ever read, then Naked or Dead is the book for you. It is intriguing, suspenseful, dramatic, twisted, and an emotional rollercoaster. It is a throw your kindle, cry, and shake your head kind of book. It is also one of my favorite reads this year. 5 Must Read It Again Stars!
This was a very unique and different story. No plot is talked about because you need to read the story and not have spoilers. I was rating this five stars until about 70%. Then the major twist sort of lost me. I can’t explain my issues without spoiling the story. I will just say I’m torn. Good story, great characters, emotional, dark but certainly worth the read. It is a standalone so that was nice.
This book seriously OMG!! I cannot say enough about this book! It sucked me in right from the beginning and left me with so many OMG and WTF moments that left me wanting to read faster and find out more. This book left me wanting more at the end and the twists and turn holy sh*t! you def wont see some stuff coming but it is def worth the read! Cannot wait for AE Murphy’s next book!
This book very quickly has made its way to my top 10 books ever read, rivalled only by one.
This book has everything you want; it’ll make you laugh, cry, question your sanity, and it’ll keep you guessing until the very end. I like to think that I am usually quite good at figuring out plots, but I didn’t have a clue what was coming with this one.
I absolutely LOVE the characters, I fell in love with Lilith from the start, she’s an awesome lead character who won’t take anything from anyone. She has plans, nothing changes her plans, until Nok.
Nok, he’s the hot bad boy who fights hard but loves harder, and Lilith knows she’s screwed when she falls for the school bad boy.
There are loads of”real life” situations in this book, including sexual assault, mental illness and murder. I think it is just outstanding that one book can show so many different angles, show how one situation can spiral your life completely.
If I could give this book more stars I honestly would, it is definitely a must read.
A Billion Stars wouldn’t be enough for this book!
Lilith is the new girl with the pale pink hair. She’s mysterious, sexy, fierce and a firecracker that can ride a bike better than the boys.
Nokosi is the bad boy. Only Native American in the predominantly white prep school. He doesn’t like the pale faces and he especially doesn’t like when they trespass on his res.
The sparks that fly between these two are so intense! I’m sure my Kindle was smoking at one point…
This story took Murphy’s writing to a whole crazy new level!
Prepare yourself for a ride that will have you cussing, laughing, shocked , crying and loving every freaking minute!
DO NOT READ REVIEWS
DO NOT READ SPOILERS
DO NOT READ RECAPS
JUST READ THIS BOOK!!!
I downloaded this book in January and was told to read it blind. Why oh why did I wait 6 months before reading this book?
It is a page turner and wonderful and painful and sad and glorious all at the same time.
***5 page turning stars***
Brilliant Story! Twisted & Gripping! Great Audible Listen
Naked or Dead
By: A.E. Murphy, Xela Knight
Narrated by: Valentina Ortiz
Consider me wowed! This story is brilliant, it is well written with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. This is the type of book that the less you know about it going in the more rewarding it is in the end. The characters are complex and well developed, Lilith Deville is the new student at Lakeside Preparatory Academy. She seems to have a chip on her shoulder and first comes off as anti-social. But that changes after she knocks heads with Nokosi Locklear, the one with the bad boy reputation. They may have been each other’s challenge at first but there was no denying the chemistry between them. Each had their own issues and inner demons, one of them being anger issues. This book takes you are a dark and twisted ride and it will blow your mind in the end. The story is brilliantly plotted, there is plenty of drama, angst, romance, twists and turns, mystery, thrilling suspense, heartfelt and emotional moments, as well as heartbreaking ones. A.E. Murphy, thank you for this brilliant, mind-blowing story!
I listened to the Audible edition, Valentina Ortiz is a talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own distinct voice which makes it easy to follow along and who is who. Her portrayal of the characters is spot on, she grasps each of their personas and plays their roles with perfection. She sets the perfect tone for the story, captures all of the characters emotions and projects them into into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen
HOLY MOTHER OF PLOT TWISTS!
Where do I start?!
My mind is well and truly blown by this book- this story held me enraptured from the start until the very
end… IT IS NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED!
Lilith is a heroine with attitude and sass, closed off, a huge chip on her shoulder with a huge secret! She was not easy to love at first but somehow, somewhere I feel hard and fast for her… everything about this book gripped me… my was mind spinning in all different directions trying to keep up and see into the future… I was tempted to skip to the end on more than one occasion… I second guessed everything I believed about unfolding plot- but HOLY MOTHER OF PLOT TWISTS !!! A.E. Murphy and Xela Knight wrote on heck of a psychological thriller romance with the most unconventional ending.
“It should be this way. I’m not a good person, I’ll never be a good person and I have this demon inside of me that will forever put those I love at risk…”
Let’s not forget Nokosi- oh my love …. this guy is all heart and soul! I tearing up… I just can’t let go of him…of this book… I want to back and read it all over again.
This is a book that is best read blind, and it has been a welcome unplanned read/ listen for me.
Be prepared for a twisty mind blowing psychological romance read.
5 Mind-Blowing Stars
This book was so good! It is not what I was expecting at all. It sucked me in from the beginning. I had to know why Lillith was looking for the most arrogant man at the school. I needed her story. Then I had to follow her journey and know would she feel like, could she feel love?!
All of it from beginning to end was amazing. The writing and the story were everything.
The ending, OH MY GOD. I was not expecting the twists at the end. Also, was not expecting it to effect me in such a tragic and beautiful way. But that is exactly how I would describe Lillith…Tragic and Beautiful!
I 100% recommend this book if you like dark books with twists and a bit of beautiful love mixed in
I am sitting here at 2am ugly crying and ranting about how badly this book messed me up. I have run the gamut of emotions from laughing out loud to being so freaking mad I can’t stand it. This was a complete mind and heart twister. This is one of those books that will stay in your head forever. READ IT NOW! Lilith hates everything to do with Lakeside Prep Academy and enters the doors with both barrels of her bad attitude blazing. The only thing that makes her miserable days bareable is bringing pain to everyone else’s lives especially the arrogant king of the school, Nokosi. With her dad gone, her mom always skipping out, and a sick sister he’s the perfect distraction. When Lilith’s past of shadows and half-truths catches up to her who will survive the fallout. Especially with a serial killer leaving a trail of dead bodies that comes closer and closer to their quiet little town.
I saw the cover, skimmed the blurb, and I started to read. I was instantly hooked. A badass heroine is always the way to go, and the deeper I got, the more intrigued I was. Some of the secrets I did figured out, but the twist at the end, and with that ending…man, I was a goner! I did not see that coming!! And that is always a A+++ for me!
Naked Or Dead, is a fast paced story. With a few bumps in the road – writing style. But the characters, storyline, the twists and every freaking feeling the author made me feel, swiped that fast under the rug.
“You always look at me like that.” “Like what?” I breathe. “Like you can’t decide if you want to see me naked, or dead.”
So this was an insanely interesting, addicting, surprising and suspenseful ride and I enjoyed every minute of it. I don’t even know how to begin describing this book without giving too much away as it’s really one of those books you just need to jump into blindly and see where it takes you.
Lillith and Nikosi’s story was painful, firey and intense. It was gripping, it was savage and cruel at times. It also kept me guessing and I honestly did not know how it was going to end. Everything I thought I knew or guessed was so wrong but even though it was super frustrating and shocking at times I actually enjoyed the ending and couldn’t see it going any other way though I’m sure not everyone would like the way it ended
This book is not for everyone as it does deal with some hard hitting and triggering topics and is dark at times so definitely take caution if you have any triggers as this may not be the book for you
**spoiler alert there is no HEA, not a traditional one anyway**
Wow, what an incredible dark, twisted, intense, psychological mess with your head story. It’s blown my poor mind and cracked my heart.
It’s the first I’ve read by this author and my favourite read of the year so far, brilliant, I flipping loved it!!
I thought it was going to be a bit of a high school bully story, which I have to admit isn’t normally my cup of tea. Naked or Dead is soooo much more than that, its a dark, twisted, suspense thriller and more, I just can’t describe it without giving anything away. Trust me, you need to read this blind, without knowing too much!
If you want sweetness and flowers and a conventional romance ending, honestly this book probably isn’t for you. It’s dark and violent at times with definite triggers for some. Nikosi and Lilith are not at all what I thought they’d be when I started reading. I had no idea what was coming and hopefully it will shock, surprise, amaze and break you as it did me.
I listened to the audio version. The female narrator was excellent, very expressive and enhanced the atmosphere of the story. This book was very well written, it hooked me with long claws and didnt let go. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from this author. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
When I read the reviews and saw the good ratings for this book, I decided to give it a chance despite the fact that I’ve been so burned out on this genre. Well…needless to say I was VERY pleasantly surprised. This is not your typical YA/high school or bully romance. The book is far more, far deeper, and darker and more psychologically thrilling than your typical bully book. The intricate web that the author weaves is fascinating. She writes intelligently and it is clear that she has throughly done her research. This book is thrilling, full of angst and mystery. I enjoyed it very much! The ending BLEW MY MIND! Amazing!!!
I did NOT see the TWIST
This book was one that kept me on edge and sleepless night, no regrets today on the bags under my eyes this story took me down and I am Inahilated.
I loved the love story and the ending while it was overall a happy one it was not the typical, HIGHLY rec this book it plays as a what could e a bully romance and takes it’s own genre developing a unique ride where I was blind to the many twists that get discovered in the end.
5 wth just happened stars!!
Nope I am not telling you anything about this book. Please do as I did and jump right in!!
This book was so messed up. I went through the entire rainbow of emotions(multiple times). I was so hooked on this book that I would put it down and say just think this over. Amazing.
I think the author pulled this off flawlessly though I would give anything to change how the story went down. This is definitely not your normal romance read. This is so fucked up and twisted. I freaking loved it!!
The writing was beautiful. The story line fantastic. The characters evolved expertly. I don’t think I could say enough good things. This was one of the best reads I have ever read. And to be honest probably would have never picked up because I thought it was more of a YA romance. Listen to me people this is a romance sure but it is so much more and there isn’t shit YA about it. And please tell me how bad you want to offer up everything you got for the author to change it up. I almost dropped my kindle I was so shocked!!
Grab this MUST read now!!
Holy shizz balls. I freaking LOVED it. I cannot praise this book enough.
Lilith is freaking hilarious. I honestly laughed so many times because of her humor. She’s crazy but in a good way. Nok….oh Nok *sighs dreamily* I loved his character. I love how fiercely he loves Lilith…even when he doesn’t want to admit it. These two together are such a crazy hilarious couple. I love their banter.
Now let’s get to the cray cray stuff….those last three chapters though . My goodness. I don’t want to give any spoilers but what a freaking mindf*ck. Not only was I freaking shocked but my heart hurt so bad for Nok. Ugh. All the feels.
I have never be so dumbfounded, awestruck and devastated by a book in all my life. I am not a girl who cries over every sad thing in a book but this ending had me ugly crying. The story had so many twists and turns that every time I thought I had it figured out there would be a sudden right turn that I never show coming and had me completely rethinking everything. If you are looking for a light, happily ever after read, this book is not for you, but if your looking for a well written, roller coaster ride then dive right in.
Looking back on the story now that I have read the whole thing and know the truth I am even more impressed by how well thought out every aspect of the book is. The story had small hints the whole way that if you didn’t know to look for them, you totally miss.
I will probably never read another book quite like this fantastic work and I am completely okay with that because, in my opinion, there could never be another book that blows my mind quite like Naked or Dead.
Holy shit Batman!!!!
There was definitely no way to prepare my brain for what I just finished reading. All I know is I kept being told that I fucking needed to read this book, so I said fuck it and did. And fuck me was I not disappointed. This one kept me on my toes and that there is putting it lightly. Emotions were all over the place from start to finish.
I can’t even give a description of the book without chancing spoiling it. I just say dive in blind. Don’t read the blurp that provided, seriously go in blind with an open mind. I say this because the blurp doesn’t give this book justice, this is one that needs to be experienced by the reader.
A. E. Murphy is a new to me author that has now made my TBR list a little longer.